Schierbeck is well worth
exploring. His Symphony and Radio-Rhapsody are on Danacord DACOCD
417 (Artur Rubinstein PO/Ilya Stupel). His Fêtes Galantes
overture, Häxa, Natten and Chinese Flute are all on
POINT PCD5085 (Michael Schønwandt/Sonderjyllands By-Orkester).
Surprisingly his Dies Irae suite (from music for the 1943 Danish film
of that name) still languishes unrecorded (though recorded for Danish radio
by the Jutland orchestra conducted by Aksel Wellejus) as does his
Constitution Cantata once stirringly broadcast by that redoubtable
champion of Danish music, Launy Grøndahl and Danish Radio
forces.

Recommended to Schmidt
followers and to all those who prefer their music making to reflect a real
concert experience. Be warned however - the disc is now in short supply but
copies (down to the last fifty or so I understand) are available direct from
Music and Arts.

Schnittke works can be
difficult to perform, and in some cases, virtually impenetrable to audiences.
But these fiery works have warmth and humor. In this remarkable disc, Joanna
Kurkowicz and Sergey Schepkin find both.

The exciting music is
almost too hot to handle. This is great stuff, really. Even the final cadenza
sizzles with musical heat. The final minutes are breathtaking! Music of
confidence and triumph. If you don't respond to this, you need professional
help!

These performances date
from 1977, and they feature top-class orchestral playing and direction. There
are other options in performing this music, certainly, but they are no better
than Barenboim's romantic commitment and flowing tempi.

Gielen is one of the
most interesting conductors around today. ...However, it is probably be the
Oboe Concerto which will be the chief attraction for collectors, since the
disc represents excellent vale at nearly 80 minutes, and the soloist is the
great Heinz Holliger. Nor does he disappoint. His performance is both technically
accomplished and eloquently drawn, and Gielen's accompaniment is
ideal.

SULLIVAN Written by Sydney Grundy Haddon
Hall The Prince Consort,
Edinburgh, conducted by David Lyle.The divine art record company 21201.[AB]

The music is most impressive,
full of good tunes and many unique touches to differentiate it from the G.
& S. operas. The Scottish numbers and orchestral bagpipe effects are
hilarious; there is a storm scene which brings that of Rigoletto to mind;
the brief appearance of La Marseillaise and Yankee Doodle Dandee are most
unexpected.

The Verdi celebrations
have elicited a host of welcome issues from the majors. Riccardo Chailly
here makes a notable contribution by turning his attention to another side
of this most operatically based of composers: the lesser-known liturgical
music. Decca in fact include no fewer than five World Première recordings
on this release

....wondrously sustained
as the singing of Leontyne Price is in this most technically demanding of
passages. To maintain such perfect intonation for so long a time unaccompanied,
as she does, is a true test of greatness.....It is in his strict fidelity
to Verdi's markings that Reiner's rhythmical precision and textural clarity
serve, rather than detract from, the emotional intensity of the
music.

I have to say that few
light music composers can sustain interest for 80 minutes or so, and Worland
just isn't one of them. If tunefulness is the prime requisite of light music
I'm afraid that few, if any, of his melodies are memorable; and the routine
structures rarely deviate from the predictable.

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